It's in the opening moments of Prataya Saha's 18-minute darkly satirical short film Harij Weds Sajili that we're immediately drawn to the understatedly beautiful Sajili, a young woman whose aura seems on the fringes of delight but who has become saddled by an arranged marriage to the anything but delightful Harij. 

An Indo-US production inspired by true events, Harij Weds Sajili humorously but very pointedly explores the dangerous and still very existent practice of dowry in South East Asia. While this is a film with plenty of laughs, rest assured it's also a serious film that isn't making light of the subject or those who experience it. 

Sajili (Rutpanna Aishwarya) is stuck in a marriage that even amidst this humor feels constantly menacing. Her husband, Harij (Hridaan Saraswat), feels threatening from his opening moments even if he's also a bit of a dimwit. It's clear that Sajili isn't satisfying his, well, "appetites" and he hires a reportedly well-known sex worker, Leila (Anshulika Kapoor), to show her a thing or two. 

There may be something else at play here. 

It is clear from the film's opening moments that Sajili is stronger than the world in which she lives will allow her to be. Stuck in a culture that doesn't value her intelligence, strength, or loving ways, Sajili resists her husband's blatant misogyny in such obvious ways that it's hard not to worry about her welfare even within the context of a short film.  Aishwarya is a revelation here, simultaneously capturing the oppressive world in which she lives and a relentless strength and perseverance. There's never any doubt in this film - you love Sajili and despise Harij. 

As Harij, Saraswat is so brutally yet charismatically smarmy that it's easy to understand why parents may initially think he's a velvet catch of a man. Saraswat captures powerfully, yet also humorously, how the dowry system has become so normalized and humanizes a character who is otherwise inhumane in nearly every way. It's a terrific performance for a difficult, impossible to like character. 

Kapoor's Leila is the film's secret weapon in a myriad of ways. She carries with her a cultural swagger that is both hilarious and compelling. While sex workers are often played for laughs or dramatic exploitation, there's a gloriousness here that fits the storytelling and draws us into Angela Page's story even deeper. 

Lensing by Subha Dey is exceptional throughout, an intro shot setting the tone for a film that feels both larger than life and richly human. Gautam Pallaki's editing for the film allows for silent moments to linger and casual looks to have maximum effect. 

Then, of course, there's director Prataya Saha's ability to beautifully balance the film's dark satire and essential meaning. It's a difficult balance, however, every structure within the film feels sublimely put together. This is the kind of film that will have you rushing over to research the dowry system even before the closing credits have rolled. It's hard to believe this system is still true. This system is still true. 

If you get a chance, I'd definitely check out Harij Weds Sajili. 

Written by Richard Propes
The Independent Critic